iPod nano : do you like yours ?

Post by **Colonel Olrik** » 2006-03-29 07:46am

One of the big advantages in buying an ipod is the absolute fuckload of accessories you can buy for it later, some of them very cool.

Bounty · Post by **Bounty** » 2006-03-29 10:19am

Colonel Olrik wrote:One of the big advantages in buying an ipod is the absolute fuckload of accessories you can buy for it later, some of them very cool.

Speaking of those, should I get one of those "Tube" sleeves ? Or another kind of protective case ? I usually keep my player in my overcoat's breast pocket with nothing else in there, if that matters.

Glocksman · Post by **Glocksman** » 2006-03-29 11:20am

GuppyShark wrote:The nano doesn't use a charger at all, it charges off USB.

Yes, but the cable charges a battery, does it not?

The nano is a really nice looking device and from the reviews I've seen is pretty tough, but it's one big drawback to me is the lack of drag and drop functionality.

The battery thing probably isn't that big of an issue to a lot of people, but I leave my player in the car a lot when I'm not using it.
If the battery dies on me, I can walk into the nearest drugstore and buy a single AAA instead of worrying about plugging it into a USB port.

If you can live without drag and drop and don't mind having to pay Apple a fortune to replace the dead battery pack in a few years*, then get one, as the accessory market is pretty loaded up with iPod gadgets.
Hell some company even makes adapters that connects iPods with your car cd changer controls and let you control it with them.
That's cool.

*For more on the facts of LiIon battery life expectancy, read this interesting FAQ

Bounty · Post by **Bounty** » 2006-03-29 12:40pm

If you can live without drag and drop and don't mind having to pay Apple a fortune to replace the dead battery pack in a few years

From what I've read the Nano's battery is soldered into the player itself and almost impossible to remove; Apple just ships a new or refurbished one back to you if you buy a new battery. Still, 300 charge cycles means it should last about 5 years for me, which is plenty.

I'm more worried about scratching the casing and screen, really. So, should I get the €30 tube cover or not ?

EDIT : sorry about all the questions, but I just don't like spending more then €100 without knowing exactly what I'm getting.

Glocksman · Post by **Glocksman** » 2006-03-29 12:51pm

From that FAQ:

In addition to cycling, the battery ages even if not used. The amount of permanent capacity loss the battery suffers during storage is governed by the SoC and temperature. For best results, keep the battery cool. In addition, store the battery at a 40 percent charge level. Never fully charge or discharge the battery before storage. The 40 percent charge assures a stable condition even if self-discharge robs some of the battery’s energy. Most battery manufacturers store Li-ion batteries at 15°C (59°F) and at 40 percent charge.

I read somewhere else that the average lifetime of a Li-ion battery is three years, but I've seen 5 year old laptop batteries that'd hold a charge.
Then again I've seen 2 year old dead laptop batteries as well.

As long as you're aware that battery replacement will eventually be an issue, the nano is one cool looking player and Apple's UI is second to none.
Me, I'm a cheap bastard and that's why I bought the Sandisk despite it being kinda ugly. It's cheap ($70), functional, doesn't require any software, and it uses cheap standard batteries.

OTOH, if the nano had been $70. I probably would have bought it.

Bounty · Post by **Bounty** » 2006-03-30 04:50am

I ordered it. It'll be two days before it ships thanks to the engraving.

I feel so dirty

Bounty · Post by **Bounty** » 2006-04-03 08:09am

I'm impressed. Even with the engraving it only too over the weekend to arrive.

And damn this thing is sexy. I'm glad it comes with a littlke pouch because I'm sure as hell not putting this in my pocket unprotected. It's a good thing I've kept my old black headphones, too, because it came with the stock Apple "MUG ME !!" white ones and they clash horribly with the black casing.

Oh yes : Apple GUI playlist system >>>>>>> Creative text file browser

Thansk for all the info, people

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2006-04-03 08:36am

I've never used any mp3 management system other than Apples, but I can't imagine anything being better. Don't the Creative ones use a regular folder organisation?

The iPod interface (and the xml database that runs it) is probably much of the reason for 'no drag and drop' without a bit of middleware running to update the database.

Bounty · Post by **Bounty** » 2006-04-03 08:50am

Don't the Creative ones use a regular folder organisation?

Just like a vanilla USB drive. It's primitive in comparison.

Thing is, I *know* that under the hood my old Creative was just as advanced as a Nano in terms of technology and audio quality, but this thing feels decades ahead. You change volume by gently stroking the case, for crap's sake.

His Divine Shadow · Post by **His Divine Shadow** » 2006-04-03 02:06pm

I use my nano as an USB stick but I've got no music on it. Hell I don't really listen to music alot so it's gotten most use as a USB memory card and audiobook reader.

Nightbringer · Post by **Nightbringer** » 2006-04-03 04:28pm

Before I purchased my Nano, I had read many reports on its unreliability and its high chances or going faulty or snapping easily, however, I still bought it and it was fine for 4 months, but just the other day it wasn't letting me acces certain songs and when I lowered the volume it would get lowder, I switched it off and the day after it was absolutely fine